New employment services report released

A new report has found that the Coalition Government’s jobactive system has achieved strong results, with over 1.2 million job placements since July 2015, but that new technology can provide further opportunities to deliver employment services in a smarter, more effective way.

The report by an independent Employment Services Expert Advisory Panel provides recommendations to Government to consider as it prepares to establish employment services beyond 2020.

Minister for Jobs and Industrial Relations, the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP, said the Government will build on what is working well in the current system and will implement improvements through a new employment services model that responds to the changing needs of job seekers and employers.

“The report highlights the important role digital tools can play to help connect job seekers with services enabling resources to be better directed to those job seekers with greater needs, helping them find employment and achieve financial independence,” Minister O’Dwyer said.

“We know that some job seekers will still need face-to-face assistance and that providers will have a critical role to play in delivering this assistance.”

The report includes 11 system design principles for the future of employment services, including using technology to offer more tailored and personalised services to help people find work faster, better connect employers with the labour they need when they need it, and freeing up employment service providers to focus on helping those who need it most.

The report’s panel, independently chaired by Mrs Sandra McPhee AM, undertook extensive engagement and consultation to develop its recommendations. Around 1,400 responses were received from job seekers, employers, employment service providers, community service organisations and training providers.

The Government thanks Mrs McPhee and the panel members for their work.

“We will continue to work with stakeholders, undertaking further targeted consultation, before making a final decision on a future employment services system,” Minister O’Dwyer concluded.